Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A system, comprising; a plurality of mechanical components included in a physical machine; a communication bus included in the physical machine; a plurality of sensors included in the physical machine to provide digital signals, each of the sensors (i) disposed to obtain an analog signal measuring one or more of the mechanical components when the machine is in operation, (ii) configured to convert the obtained analog signal to one of the digital signals, and (iii) configured to output a converted digital signal to the communication bus, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a first sensor configured to output a first digital signal and a second sensor configured to output a second digital signal, the first digital signal including a first measurement of operation of one or more of the mechanical components at a first time, and the second digital including a second measurement of operation of the one or more mechanical components in the machine at a second time that is after the first time; and a first computer included in the physical machine, including a processor and a memory, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor such that the first computer is programmed to: receive the digital signals from the sensors via the communication bus; after determining that the first measurement meets a first threshold, then determine that the second measurement meets a second threshold; determine a time difference that is an amount of time passing between the first time and the second time; and upon determining that the time difference is greater than a predetermined amount of time, determine the occurrence of an event associated with the first and second measurements of operation of the one or more mechanical components in the machine; wherein the first data and the second data measure different data attributes.
2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising: a wireless network, wherein the first computer is further programmed to provide messages via the wireless network; and a second computer physically separated from the physical machine and programmed to: receive messages, including data about the event, from the first computer via the wireless network; and control the physical machine based on one or more received messages from the first computer.
This invention relates to a distributed control system for managing physical machines using wireless communication. The system addresses the challenge of remotely monitoring and controlling physical machines, such as industrial equipment or robotic systems, by enabling real-time data exchange and command execution over a wireless network. The system includes a first computer connected to a physical machine, which monitors the machine's operations and detects events, such as malfunctions or performance deviations. The first computer is programmed to generate messages containing data about these events and transmit them via a wireless network. A second computer, physically separated from the machine, receives these messages and processes the event data. Based on the received information, the second computer sends control commands back to the first computer, which then adjusts the physical machine's operations accordingly. This setup allows for centralized monitoring and remote control of multiple machines, improving efficiency and reducing the need for on-site intervention. The wireless network facilitates seamless communication between the computers, ensuring timely data transmission and response. The second computer's ability to analyze event data and issue control instructions enables proactive management of the physical machine, enhancing reliability and performance. This system is particularly useful in industrial automation, remote diagnostics, and predictive maintenance applications.
3. The system of claim 2 , wherein controlling the physical machine includes ceasing operation of the physical machine.
A system for managing physical machines in a computing environment addresses the challenge of efficiently controlling machine operations to optimize resource usage and reduce costs. The system monitors the operational state of a physical machine and dynamically adjusts its operation based on predefined criteria. This includes the ability to halt or cease the machine's operation entirely when certain conditions are met, such as low utilization, cost thresholds, or maintenance requirements. The system integrates with a virtualization platform to manage virtual machines (VMs) running on the physical machine, ensuring seamless transitions when the physical machine is powered down or restarted. By automating these control functions, the system minimizes manual intervention, improves energy efficiency, and reduces operational expenses. The solution is particularly useful in data centers and cloud computing environments where resource optimization is critical. The system may also include features for scheduling machine operations, logging events, and generating alerts to maintain operational transparency and compliance.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first computer is further programmed to receive at least one third measurement between the first and second times.
A system for monitoring and analyzing data over time includes a first computer programmed to collect and process measurements from a monitored environment. The system addresses the need for accurate and continuous data collection to detect changes or anomalies in real-time. The first computer is configured to receive a first measurement at a first time and a second measurement at a second time, later than the first. To enhance monitoring accuracy, the first computer is further programmed to receive at least one additional measurement between the first and second times. This intermediate measurement allows for finer temporal resolution, improving the detection of rapid changes or transient events that might otherwise be missed. The system may also include a second computer programmed to process the collected measurements, compare them against predefined thresholds or patterns, and generate alerts or reports based on the analysis. The intermediate measurements enable more precise trend analysis, anomaly detection, and predictive modeling, making the system suitable for applications such as environmental monitoring, industrial process control, or healthcare diagnostics. The inclusion of intermediate measurements ensures that critical data points are not overlooked, enhancing the reliability and responsiveness of the monitoring system.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first computer is further programmed to record the first time as the event start time and the second time as the event end time.
This invention relates to a system for tracking and recording event timings in a computing environment. The system addresses the need for accurate and automated event time tracking, particularly in scenarios where manual recording is impractical or error-prone. The system includes at least two computers, where a first computer is responsible for detecting and recording event-related timestamps. The first computer is programmed to identify a first time associated with the start of an event and a second time associated with the end of the event. The system further ensures that these times are recorded as the event start time and event end time, respectively. This functionality is part of a broader system that may also include additional computers or components for processing, analyzing, or storing the recorded event data. The invention improves upon prior art by automating the time-tracking process, reducing human error, and providing a reliable method for capturing event durations. The recorded times can be used for various applications, such as performance monitoring, scheduling, or data logging, depending on the specific implementation. The system is designed to be flexible, allowing integration into different computing environments where event time tracking is required.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first computer is further programmed to provide event data to a fact stack of a rules engine.
A system for processing and analyzing event data using a rules engine is disclosed. The system addresses the challenge of efficiently managing and interpreting large volumes of event data in real-time applications, such as monitoring, automation, or decision-making systems. The system includes a first computer configured to receive and process event data from various sources, such as sensors, logs, or user inputs. The first computer is further programmed to provide this event data to a fact stack of a rules engine. The rules engine evaluates the event data against predefined rules to trigger actions, generate alerts, or update system states. The fact stack serves as a temporary storage for the event data, allowing the rules engine to access and process the data in a structured manner. The system may also include additional components, such as a second computer for executing actions based on the rules engine's outputs or a database for storing historical event data. The system ensures timely and accurate processing of event data, enabling real-time decision-making and automation in various applications.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first computer is further programmed to receive a third measurement from a second sensor, the third measurement including data indicating a status of one of the one or more mechanical components.
This invention relates to a monitoring system for mechanical components, addressing the need for real-time status tracking to prevent failures and optimize performance. The system includes a first computer connected to multiple sensors that measure operational parameters of mechanical components, such as temperature, pressure, or vibration. The first computer processes these measurements to detect anomalies or deviations from expected performance. In this specific embodiment, the system is enhanced by incorporating a second sensor that provides a third measurement, which indicates the status of one or more mechanical components. This additional data allows the system to perform more comprehensive diagnostics, enabling early detection of potential issues and reducing downtime. The first computer is programmed to analyze the third measurement alongside other sensor data, improving the accuracy of fault detection and predictive maintenance. The system may also include a second computer that receives and processes the measurements, ensuring redundancy and reliability. The overall goal is to provide a robust monitoring framework that integrates multiple sensor inputs to enhance the reliability and efficiency of mechanical systems.
8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first and second thresholds are a same value.
A system for monitoring and controlling a process involves detecting deviations in process parameters and triggering corrective actions when those deviations exceed predefined thresholds. The system includes sensors to measure process variables, a controller to compare the measured values against first and second thresholds, and an actuator to adjust the process when the thresholds are exceeded. The first threshold defines an upper limit for the process variable, while the second threshold defines a lower limit. When the measured value exceeds the upper threshold or falls below the lower threshold, the controller activates the actuator to restore the process to a desired state. In this particular configuration, the first and second thresholds are set to the same value, meaning the system triggers corrective action when the process variable deviates in either direction from a central setpoint. This ensures symmetric control around the target value, preventing both over-correction and under-correction. The system may be applied in industrial automation, environmental monitoring, or any application requiring precise process control. The thresholds can be dynamically adjusted based on real-time conditions or historical data to optimize performance. The actuator may include mechanical, electrical, or software-based mechanisms to adjust the process. The system may also include feedback loops to continuously refine the thresholds and control actions for improved accuracy.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the machine is a vehicle.
A system for monitoring and managing the operational state of a vehicle includes sensors and processing components to detect and analyze vehicle conditions. The system collects data from various sensors installed on the vehicle, such as those measuring temperature, pressure, vibration, or other operational parameters. The collected data is processed to identify potential issues, such as component wear, overheating, or mechanical failures, before they escalate into critical problems. The system may also include communication modules to transmit alerts or diagnostic information to a remote monitoring station or a vehicle operator. Additionally, the system can integrate with onboard control systems to adjust vehicle operations automatically in response to detected anomalies, such as reducing engine load or activating cooling mechanisms. The system may further include predictive analytics to forecast maintenance needs based on historical and real-time data, helping to optimize vehicle performance and reduce downtime. The vehicle may be any type of mobile machine, including but not limited to cars, trucks, agricultural equipment, or industrial machinery. The system enhances safety, efficiency, and reliability by providing early warnings and automated corrective actions.
Unknown
March 17, 2020
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